Faulkner takes Australia over the line in Gabba thriller

Brisbane, Jan 17 (IANS) All-rounder James Faulkner steered Australia to a memorable one-wicket win with three deliveries to spare against England in the second Carlton Mid ODI Series match here at the Gabba Friday.

England seems destined to complete its tour Down Under without a win over Australia after Faulkner’s prolific hitting cancelled out a run of good fortune to inflict perhaps the most soul-destroying loss of the tourists’ forgettable trip.

Everything was in England’s favour when they posted 300 from their 50 overs and reduced Australia to 244 for nine in the 44th over, facing an unlikely target of 57 to win from 36 balls with the last pair standing.

But Faulkner, who had been forced to watch Australia’s memorable Ashes moments from a distance having been named 12th man for each of the five Tests, decided it was his turn to inflict some pain.

He unleashed some brutal hitting against England bowling that started to lose its shape and then ultimately lost the plot as the Tasmanian all-rounder bludgeoned an unbeaten 69 from 47 balls to see Australia home.

Faulkner and Clint McKay put on 66 from just 33 balls including five huge sixes from the former and three consecutive boundaries off Tim Bresnan‘s final over to seal the win.

“I knew I could do it deep down, but it’s always nice to get the boys over the line,” Faulkner said immediately after his remarkable innings that crowned the highest successful one-day run chase at the Gabba.

“I might look (calm) but deep down I’m pretty nervous.”

Earlier, a fortunate Eoin Morgan — who narrowly missed being run out backing up too far and was then caught off a no-ball caused by Australia having too many fielders outside the perimeter circle — went on to blast a match-defining 106 from 99 balls.

Just the second international century of England’s tour, after Ben Stokes’ counter-punching innings in the third Test in Perth, it lifted England to a 50-over total of 300 for eight — only the third time on tour the tourists have posted 300 against Australia.

England now have just two days to bury their disappointment before the third match of the five-game series, which Australia leads two-nil, is played in Sydney Sunday.